SEATTLE -- Seattle Mariners President & Chief Operating Officer Chuck Armstrong announced today that Executive Vice President & General Manager of Baseball Operations Jack Zduriencik has agreed on a multi-year extension of his existing contract. Per club policy, no terms will be announced.

"Jack arrived in Seattle with a clear plan, and he has not deviated from that plan," Armstrong said. "Jack wanted to increase the talent base in our organization through scouting and player development. That is exactly what he has done."

"Through trades, waiver claims and free agent signings, as well as the draft, Jack has accumulated talent throughout the Mariners organization," Armstrong continued. "Our drafts the past three seasons have been very good, as exemplified by recent picks already arriving in the Major Leagues. Our player development group, revamped by Jack when he arrived, has done a very good job of preparing players to be successful in the big leagues. Eric Wedge and his coaching staff, hired by Jack, have done a terrific job of balancing our desire to win every game we play with the challenge of developing young players to be a part of championship teams in the future."

"We are headed in the right direction for long-term success," Armstrong said. "Now, as quality young players drafted by the Mariners and developed in our system begin to arrive in Seattle, our fans can look forward to an exciting future thanks to Jack's efforts."

Zduriencik was named the eighth General Manager in Seattle Mariners history after being hired on Oct. 22, 2008. He was named the Andrew "Rube" Foster Legacy Award winner in 2009 by the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum recognizing the Executive of the Year.

"As we are in the midst of this process of building a championship organization and, as I said from day I accepted this job, our ultimate goal is to win the World Series for this community. In my mind, the way to accomplish this is clear. We need to continue to acquire talent at all levels of our organization and to constantly strive to be better at everything we do: drafting, developing, evaluating, coaching and hiring. It is a challenge I embrace. We appreciate the support the fans have given our young players as they begin their Major League careers this year."

Of the 32 players (25 active + 7 on disabled list) on the Mariners current big league roster, 28 were acquired by Zduriencik and his staff: 15 via trade, 3 in the draft, 9 as Major or minor league free agents and 1 as waiver claim.

Prior to joining the Mariners Zduriencik spent nine years with the Milwaukee Brewers (1999-2008). He was promoted to Vice President - Special Assistant to the GM for Player Personnel on Jan. 15, 2008. He spent the previous two years (2006-07) as Special Assistant to the GM/Director of Amateur Scouting after being hired as the Brewers Director of Scouting on Oct. 25, 1999.

Following the 2007 season, Zduriencik was named Executive of the Year by Baseball America, becoming the first non-GM ever to win the award.
A 28-year veteran in Major League Baseball, Zduriencik worked with four MLB organizations prior to joining the Mariners.

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.